Pipe connector



March i3, 95l 1 c, RlCHARDsON 2,545,168

PIPE CONNECTOR Filed Oct. '7, 1948 Way. .5

INVENTOR. Jan/QJ* CT .7f'ca/fa/.7m

www@ Kil@ ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 13, 1951 PIPE CONNECTOR James C. Richardson, Waterbury, Conn., assignor to The Brockway Company, Naugatuck, Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Application October 7, 1948, Serial No. 53,319

3 Claims.

rlhis invention relates to coupling or connecting means for threadless pipe, tubing, conduit and the like, for connecting the same to other or similar structure in such manner as to obtain a leak-tight connection. Specifically, the invention relates to the type of coupling shown in my previously filed application, Serial No. 716,370,

filed December 14, 1946, now Patent No. 2,522,194.

As pointed out in my ,said application, the need for convenient and satisfactory means for connecting ductile or bendable threadless pipe or tubing, e. g., of metals, such as aluminum, copper, lead, tin, Zinc, iron, and alloys of these metals, as well as of ductile plastic materials, to pipe lines or to orices of structures such as engines, machines and commercial or household fiXtures, has been of long standing; one field of application for such connections lying in the use cf bendable threadless pipe for connecting household fixtures, such as gas ranges and washing machines, which are to be semi-permanently installed, to existing pipe lines carrying gas, water and the like. Another eld of application is in the automotive industry for connecting gasoline lines to carburetors, overflow lines to radiator fittings, etc.

Numerous proposals have been made in an attempt to satisfy this need. Most of these proposals involved coupling means for gripping portions of the pipe Walls, or clamping deformed portions thereof between opposed coupling member surfaces. Many of the couplings heretofore known were subject to disadvantages which impair their utility, or render their use unduly eX- pensive or inconvenient. For example, in installations in Whichthe coupling is subjected to axial or lateral stress, or to vibration, the connection tends to fail by gradual deformation of the portions of the pipe engaged by the coupling. Parts of the pipe subjected to the clamping or gripping action of the coupling members are often weakened thereby, rendering the pipe easily susceptible to fracture. Some of the coupling means form constrictions or widened portions in the passage extending through the coupling, offering resistance to the iiow of uids therethrough; and often junctions of several of the coupling members are exposed to uids in the pipe, so that special precautions must be taken to avoid corrosion, particularly from electrolytic action when the junction is between dissimilar metals. Some of the couplings h-ereinbefore proposed require a large number of parts, whereby they are relatively expensive to manufacture, and incon- Z venient to assemble. Furthermore, unless the coupling parts can be preassembled with the pipe, there is danger of losing one or more of the parts before the coupling is installed, thereby rendering the coupling useless. Most couplings require a relatively large number of threaded partsthereof to make up the connection, constitutinga considerable inconvenience, particularly in mass production. Furthermore, constructions heretofore known are obten subject to the disadvantage that excessive force applied in making up the connection tends to weaken the pipe, while too little force fails to form a suciently tight joint.

A disadvantage in known couplings such, for example, as tube fittings is the necessity of lining up the tubing exactly with the opening of the fitting, in order to avoid the possibility of crossed threads in starting the associated coupling nut onto the threaded body of the tting. It is also necessary to provide substantial accuracy in the concentricity of the sealing surfaces relative to the tubing in order to insure a sufciently tight connection to avoid weeping In thepresent invention these defects are overcome.

Also, as a result of this invention, a fitting of a given standard size has such reduced overall dimensions as result in a very substantial saving of material, with corresponding lowering of cost.

In accordance with the invention as set forth in my said application, coupling means are provided for threadless ductile pipe, tubing, conduit or other hollow tubular structures, hereinafter referred to as pipe, wherein only two interchangeable coupling partsare required to secure the pipe in leak-tight engagement with another structure. These parts can be preassembled with the pipe, until used, so that ioss of the parts is readily avoided. The coupling is adapted to form a passageway of uniform diameter through the pipe and coupling, offering minimum resistance to the flow of fluids therethrough; and only one junction between metal parts is necessarily exposed to the iiuid in the pipe, so that corrosion problems presented by dissimilar metal junctions can be readily overcome. The parts of my coupling are simple in design, and can be readily economically made by mass production methods. The deformed portion of the pipe wall engaged by the coupling members is formed in such a manner as to minimize weakening of the pipe material, and the coupling members are arrangedy to clamp the pipe in such amanner asto avoidY any tendency to weaken the parts of the pipe engaged thereby. In consequence thereof, the force applied in making up the connection is not critical, and the coupling can be tightened with full force to insure a leak-tight connection.

The present invention is designed to permit initatingthe coupling operation between the associated couplingH members; orY between a coupling member and a fitting, even when the pipe is out of alignment therewith, thus simplifying the assembly of the parts especially in confined or cramped locations such as are fre-y quently encountered, for example, in automotive assembly operations. In the case. of threaded coupling members, the threaded connection can.l

be initiated with the pipe out of alignment without danger of crossed threads.. Thisr is: acer complished by so constructing and arranging vthe coupling member, which may be a coupling nut, asto permit axial misalignment of the pipe and members-in the-preliminary makeupl of the coupling' whilerinsu'ring-a leak-tight-contact ofthe coupling-members with` thelpi'pe flange` and rigid holding of all; parts'f'after makeup. Atthe same time=thefpresent design permits such radial 'flexibilityfiff-positioning the parts as to provide a leak-'t-ightconnection even'A with considerable eccentricityf4 between'the sealing surfaces and the pipeaxis: A`conne'ct'ion that will' not weep can be--obtained byk finger'A tightening followed by a short turnl with` a---wrenchl The resulting ad vantagesiin automotive1 assembly operations, for example, are incalculable;

The present'invention is also designedto providealcouplg ofv the type set vforth of such constructioni andarrangementl that' only one pipe flangeeengaging surface is required to be Yac` curately ttedto-/clamp the angefwith av lealet'ight'engagement, with: the result that manufacturing` tolerances of vtheremaining parts are increased: and .thecosti of." manufacture and time requiredffor production correspondingly reduced.

Inaccordancefwith: my' invention, I provide on ora'djacent'the endoffth'e pipeV an upset doublethickness hanger.forniiedf from'the walls-of the pipe; and extending."substantially' in radial directi'onfromfthe pipe.` Thev upset flange canbe madei. aswdi'sclosedffin 'my copencling-fapplication, Serial Noz"702,026;of.October'-8;.194f6, bysubjecting an unconned short length of the pipe, at orradjacent` the. end thereof. to compression in axial direction',4 while confiningadjacent portions of; the-pip`en-againstexpansion.v In' accordance with- -this @invention the compressingV operation is performedon the end portion of` the pipe. unconned portion of the` pipe when subjected to. compression, bulges.- outward:v to. form a ridge onbead, andthetwov sidesof the latter. are then forced.together `to..form a .doublefthickness substantially radialflange.. Since theipipe wall upset byV suchY compression isunconned the metal of the` pipe exes, or flows to form the .ange in its most vnatural 'mannenthus avoiding substantial thinning, or'weakening ofthe metal. At the base ofi'thc flangedthe metal Vis somewhat thickened and," strengthened .under the influence of., the compression:

The-upset nange is then clamped between a pair of coupling members, including draft means, such as'interengaging;threaded portions, whereby the coupling members Lcanine forced'togethter in 'axial directiorrcfthe" pipe against opposite sides of the upset flange: The coupling members have telesc'oping portionsy adjoining the flange-engagingsurfaces Athereof which cooperatey therewith The i of;y crossed". threads;

to form an annular chamber enclosing and substantially confining the flange. Thus, when the connection is made up and tightened with great force, the flange cannot become unduly deformed, and consequently weakened, by reason of the fact that the metal thereof is confined against substantial deformation by the walls of said annular space; The walls of said spacev are preferably constructed so as to diverge in radial direction, soas to prevent the material enclosed in the annular space from being forced inward toward the'axis of the connection. Thus, the force applied in tightening the connection is not critical.

Infthe present-linvention, one of the coupling members is` somounted on the hanged pipe that makeup of the'connection can beinitiated with the; pipe s out of alignment with the coupling members. While the ange-engaging surfaces thereof` are shaped as hereinafter described to accomplish the further purposes of the inven- JD.'

Asvillustrated, the-,coupling `member which' is preassembledi withtheiianged pipe has a pipereceiving aperture ofsuch form as to permit limited axial'misalignment' ofi the member and the pipe at the. beginning 'of "the, coupling operation without" interfering. with the. proper coupling operation, so that'm'akeup of the coupling can be: initiated without requiring the pipe. to be in absoluteaxi'al :alignmentrwith the coupling members'` Thef' op'eration.' of` connectingV a pipel to a tlfireardedffitting:r by means of Ia; coupling nut, for example,y can'beinitiatedwithout aligning the pipe 'exactly with Mthe-fitting `bore without danger This isf ofV particular advantage-in lassembly/lineoperations, such as in the'automotive industry, as it permits av coupling nutto bezstarte'donto'the body of a fitting, such asia-'carburetor fitting, much more quickly and easilythan has h'eretofore'been the case.

Also, the coupling member which is preassem'bled'with thef'langed pipe has a substantially radialf flange-engaging clamping surface and a pipe receivingaperture formedAI kto cooperate with such' surfaceand' enable the coupling member to engage the'pipe flange'around 360 of Contact even when some-eccentricity is present between thefco'upli-ng member and the pipe axis, while the clamping surface on the cooperating coupling member is so formed as to center the pipe flange thereon and engage it around 360 of contact with leak-tight `engagement if the axis of the pipe is eccentric thereto. As a result, the present invention'provides a leaketight connection which will not "weep even under conditions of eccentricity'between the parts. Thisalso results in easier'manufacturing tolerances, reducing the time and cost vof production and insuring a satisfactory'connection under conditions which previously have prevented it.

Other features and advantages of my invention will appear from the following description of a number of preferred.V embodiments of my invention, illustrated inthe `accompanying drawings, wherein.:

Figurel 1 is-an axial cross-sectional View of the parts-of'acoupling in'accordance with my invention, aftermaking up the joint under relatively light wrench pressure.

Fig. 2 is a similar View showing the effect of high wrench pressure on a similar joint.

Fig; 3 is avsection of a modification of the coupling-shown in Fig'. 1.

Fig.- 4-is'-a-view similar to Fig. 1- showing how makeup of the coupling can be initiated with the parts outof proper alignment.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing how the present invention can provide a leak-tight connection even when the associated tubing'is out of alignment with the connected fitting or similar part.

Referring to Fig. l, a piece of ductile pipe I0, to be connected to the mouth of a passage in a structure I2, has double-walled upset flange i3, formed at the end of the pipe." The upset flange can be formed, for example, by the method disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 702,026, of October 8, 1946, wherein the pipe is` gripped by an encircling and confining die along a substantial length thereof, with an end portion of the pipe, of sufficient length to form an upset flange, protruding unconiined from the end of the die. The protruding end of thev pipe is then subjected to compression in axial direction, for example, by supporting the end of the pipe against a compression member and forcing the die, together with the pipe enclosed therein, toward the compression member. The walls of the unconned protruding end portion of the pipe bulge outward to form a bead, and the walls of the bead are then forced together to form a kdouble-walled flange, extending substantially in radial direction from the pipe. The radial end surfaces |3b of the bead are usually rounded. To avoid reduction of the internal diameter of thevpipe at the base of the upset flange, a mandrel may extend into the pipe from the open end thereof during application of compression thereto. As shown in the drawing, the upset flange bearing pipe has a femaleVV coupling member I4, the exterior of which may be advantageously shaped to engage a wrench, for example, by making its surface hexagonal or square. The coupling member I4 encircles the pipe l0 behind the Aupset flange I3, and has a relatively narrow iiange I5 at its rear end with a pipe encircling bore I5a of such diameter as to permit limited axial misalignment of the coupling member |4 on the pipe and also permit the coupling member to be oli center relative to the pipe while still engaging the entire circular face of the upset flange l. At its forward end, coupling member |4 has an enlarged cavity I6, of sufcient diameter to receive the flange. The outer portion of the cavity I6 is provided with internal threads I'I. Extending inward from the threads Il the cavity I6 has a wall I8 tapered inwardly at an angle of approximately 3 to the axis of the coupling member, with the inner, smaller end of the same of slightly larger diameter than the flange I3. The inner portion of the cavity terminates at a shoulder I9, which preferably joins the bore of the surface I8 at a slightly (i. e. of small radius) rounded corner 26. The inner flange engaging face of the shoulderY I9 extends substantially radially.

The opposite coupling member of Figs. 1 and 2 is a body or fitting 2 I, having for example, a pipethreaded portion 22 for engaging a correspondingly threaded oriiice in the mouth of the passage II of structure l2, and advantageously includes a vnut portion 23 of conventional hexagonal or square shape, for engaging awrench. The body 2| has a bore 24, of a diameter corresponding to the internal diameter of thepipe l0, and preferably of the passage II.

The opposite projecting end of the body 2| constitutes a male coupling member, adapted to cooperate with the female member I4. Tinus, adjacent the projecting end, it is provided with external threads 25 for engaging the internal threads I 'I of the member |4. Extending outward from the threads it has a substantially cylindrical portion 26 shaped to t telescopically into the cylindrical portion v|8 of the coupling member I4 and tapered at a correspondingangle. The end surface 21 of the body 2| is conically formed on an angle of about 30 to a radial plane, for engaging the outer rounded face |3b of the flange I3. This conical iiange-engaging face '21 provides 360 contact with the pipe ange even under misalignment. Forming the conical end face 0n the fitting at the angle specified also permits die casting the fitting on the associated apparatus to which the fitting connects the pipe |0 such, for example, as a carburetor.

It will be apparent that the invention permits the threaded engagement of the coupling member I4 with the fitting 2| to be initiated without requiring the pipe I!) to be in exact alignment with the fitting or with the coupling nut without danger of crossed threads. As a result, makeup of the coupling can be initiated quickly and easily even when the pipe is not in exact alignment with the coupling members, see Figs. 4 and 5, a feature which is of particular advantage in assembly line operations, such asin the automotive industry, Beging conical, the surface 2l diverges slightly from a plane at right angles to the axis of the coupling, so that said surface and the shoulder I9 denne an annular chamber for enclosing and coniining the upset flange I3, the walls of said chamber diverging from each other in radial direction .by a determinate angle.

It will also be apparent that the size of the aperture |5a in the coupling member I4 and the the coupling member 2| serves to center the pipe flange on such face and engage the fiange around 360 of contact even if eccentricity exists between the pipe and the coupling member 2 I. As a result, a tight joint can be made which will not weep even under conditions of eccentriity which render it impossible to obtain a leak-tight joint with present day couplings. This, in turn, reduces the manufacturing tolerances required in a coupling embodying the present invention, with corresponding reduction in costs and time of manufacture. y

When the coupling is made up, the rounded face I3b of the upset ilange I3 at the end of the pipe I0 is seated against the conical end 21 of the fbody 2|, and female coupling member I4 is threaded onto the projecting end portion of the body until shoulder I9 at the base of the cavity engages the rear side of the upset flange I3. When in this position the parts are usually-drawn into alignment as shown in Fig. 1, in spite of any misalignment at the beginning of the connecting operation. At the same time the cylindrical portion 26 of the body 2| enters the cylindrical portion I8 of the cavity I6, thus substantially confining the flange I3 within an annular space formed by the conical end surface 2l of the body 2 and the shoulder I9 at the base of the cavity It sometimes occurs that the pipe I0 will be held rigidly in non-alignment. Even when this is` so the present coupling will seat the iiange I3 against the conical face 2'I due to the 360 contact between the surfaces and the fact that the radial coupling" flange,j Iaccornmodates slight eccentricity` between the'parts, see Fig. 5.

Due to. thexdivergence ofthe cavity walls, when the 1 two members are. furtherr tightened, the shoulder |92 and surface 21 clamp against the opposite sides of the upset flange I3, and tend to force' the metal of the latter outward in radial direction so that it will substantially llthe annular space. Because of the shape of the annular space with respect to. the shape ofthe flange I3, only slight deformation occurs. Exceedingly great force applied in tightening the connection cannotinjure the flange I3, nor the pipe, since the metalv thereof is connedfwithin the aforesaid annular space, while. the slightly divergent walls ofthe annular space prevent inward ow of the material of the pipe or flange. Thus, the joint can be tightened to any desired extent without injury to the connection. An exceedingly tight joint can be formed in this way between the conical surface 2l of the body 2| and flange I3, which effectively prevents leakage between the two. The only junction exposed to uidsv within the coupling is that between the body 2| and the flange I3, so that by making or lining the body 2| with the same metal as the pipe It, electrolytic corrosion can be avoided.

The bore of the body 2| being the: same as the internal diameter of the pipe, provides a passage through the coupling of uniform diameter, offering minimum resistance to passage of fluids through the connection. Since the relative movement of member I4 and body 2| from the point at vwhich flange I3 is initially engaged by shoulder I9 and surface 2l, to the point at which :the joint is fully tightened, is very slight, the-:ex-

tent of the threads Il and 25 may be reduced as far as consistent with the strengthY of thematerial of which the coupling members are made,

so that a minimum number of turns is required;

for making up the connection.

The present invention results in reducing over all dimensions anda substantial saving of meta-l for fittings over what has heretofore been possible. For example, if the outside diameter of the pipe I is or equal to .312, the outside diameter of the flange I3 willV equal .382. With tube having an outside diameter equal to 1375, the O. D. of the pipe flange is equal to- .445. If the tube O'. D. is which is equal to .625, the bead;

diameter is equal to .750. With a 11/21" tube having an O. D. equal to 1.500, the bead diameter is equal to 1.700.

A modification of the connection of Figs. 1 and 2 is illustrated in Fig. 3. Essentially, the difference lies in the reversal of the male and female coupling members. rlhus, in the construction of Fig. 3, the female coupling member 28 has a bore 30, corresponding in diameter to the internal diameter of the pipe I0a. The external surface of the member 28 is advantageously made hexagonal, or of any other conventional shape to engage a wrench. At is opposite end, the female member 28 has a cavity with internal threads 3l, extending inward from its mouth, and a short inwardly tapered portion 32 extending inwardly from the threads, said tapered portion terminating at a conical face 33, similar to the conicalend surface 2l of the body 2| of Figs. 1 and 2, and adapted to engage the end surface of the upset ange I3a at the end of the length of ductile pipe Ilia. The tapered surface is joined to the conical face 33 by a rounded corner 32a of small radius.

A male member 34 is preassembled with thev pipe 'and' isV provided with a` pipe-.receiving aperture 34a formed in a relatively narrow pipe-- engaging flange 34h lencircling the' pipe behind flange i3d. The .aperture 34a is suiciently loose' andthe main bore of the coupling member is of sufficiently larger'di'ameter than the laperture 34a to permit initiation of the threaded connection whilethe associated pipe IEia is not in alignment. The male member 34 has a nut portion 35 and external threads 3B for engaging the threads 3-of female member 28. The forward end of the member 34 has a tapered portion 3l', adapted to enter and telescopically t the tapered wall 32 at the inner end of the cavity of member 28. The leading end surface 38" of coupling member 34 is similar in shape to the shoulder I3 of Figs. land 2.

Thus, the conical face 33 of female member 28, and the end surface 38 of male member 34, are adapted, when the two are threaded together to form an annular space to confine the flange |3a, said space having opposite walls diverging in radial direction.

In assembling thecoupling of Fig. 3, pipe Illa is inserted into the cavity of female member 23 until it engages the conical surface 33 and male member 34 is then threaded into said cavity until its leading end surface 33 engages the rear side of flange I3a. When the members are in this position, as shown in Fig. 3, the tapered portion 31 of member Siiv has. entered the tapered portion 32 adjacent the base of the cavity of member 28 so as to coni-ine the ange. Ilia withinthe annular space formed by the two members. When the coupling is then tightened, flange i3d is compressed and forced gently outward to iill said annular space, in which it is confined in the same manner as in the coupling shown in Figs. 1 and 2. The telescoping surfaces 32 and 3T, like the corresponding surfaces i8 and 23 in are formed on about a 3 angle to the coupling ax1s.

In each form illustrated, the only surface requiring accurate fitting and, therefore, relatively close tolerances in manufacturing is the conical flange-engaging surface against which the pipe flange is compressed into leak-tight engagement by the radial surface of the associated coupling member. This permits such tolerances in manufacturing the remaining parts as materially reduce the time of manufacture and the cost of production.

In each of the illustrated constructions, the double-walled anges are formed in the preferred manner by upsetting the end portion of the pipe wall. if desired, however, the upset flange may be formed at a point spaced somewhat from the end of the pipe, the pipe end thereby projecting into `the bore of the opposite coupling member. This, however, modifies the diameter of the passage through the coupling, and is accordingly used only where variations in the internal diameter are of no consequence.

The flange formed on the end of the pipe Yprovides means whereby the coupling members can be preassembled therewith, so that theY parts -will not be lost prior to use of the coupling toform a connection. Fromtime to time, the coupling can be dismantled after it has been made up, and then reinstalled without impairing the tightness of the joint formed thereby.

Variations and modications may bel made within the scope of the invention, and portions or" the. improvements may beused without others.l

I claim:

1. A coupling .comprising a length of ductile threadless pipe, having at the end thereof a double-thickness upset flange formed from the walls of the pipe, and extending in radialdirection therefrom, a coupling member encircling the pipe behind said flange, and having a narrow flange with an oversized pipe-receiving bore and a ange-engaging surface abutting the rear surface of said upset flange; a second coupling member having threaded engagement with the first member operative to move said members relatively in axial direction, the oversized pipereceiving bore permitting slight axial misalignment of the pipe and second coupling member; a bore in said second member coaxial with the bore of the pipe; and a conical flange-engaging surface on said second member abutting the front surface of said flange, said flange-engaging surfaces forming outwardly divergent walls adjacentv the base of the upset flange and in said coupling members having portions adjacent the flange-engaging surfaces thereof in telescopic engagement so as to form with said flange-ene gaging surfaces a limited annular space for enclosing and confining said flange on the pipe, said members when threaded together clamping and confining said ange in leak-tight engagement therewith.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coupling member has a pipe-receiving cavity therein and said narrow flange is located at the inner end thereof.

3. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the first coupling member has a pipe-receiving cavity therein and said narrow ange is located at the outer end thereof.

JAMES C. RICHARDSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,752,508 Schultis Apr. 1, 1930 1,875,885 Quarnstrom Sept. 6, 1932 2,212,183 Parker Aug. 20, 1940 2,366,444 Dorman Jan. 2, 1945 2,415,472 Dorman Feb. 11, 19471 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 88,042 Germany Aug. 18, 1896 

